Improvement in cultivators



w. s. WEIR, Jr.

Wheel Cultivator.

' N0. v r Patented May 28; 1861.

Wlki zwmsi;

l UNITED 1 STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM s. were, JR, or MONMOUTH, ILLINOIS.

. IMPROVEMENT IN GULTIVATORS.

Specification forming part of. Letters Patent No. 32,442,,datcd. lllay28, 1861.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. WEIR, Jr., of Monmouth, in the county of Warren and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cultivators or Corn- Plows; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 represents aplan or top view of so much of a cultivator or corn-plow, with my improvements applied thereto, as is necessary to illustrate my said improvements. Fig. 2 represents a front view, looking in the direction of arrow 1, Fig. 1, the two middle plows being shown in two different positions-one in black, as seen in Fig. 1, and the other in red. Fig. 3 represents a side view of the ma chine, the parts being represented in black and red lines to illustrate the mode of raising the plows out of the ground; and Fig. 4 represents a detached part on an enlarged scale.

In the drawings, A A are main carrying wheels which support axle B, to whichis fastened the seat-frame, composed of longitudinal pieces 0 G and cross-pieces D E. To the latter is fastened, in a rigid manner, seat-post F, which sustains the front of seat G, the rear of which is sustained by rear braces, H H, from cross-piece D, The longitudinal pieces 0 G are fastened rigidlyto axle B, and extend forward, as seen in Figs.'3 and 4, and have eyes or staples a in their front ends, which hitch or hookinto similar eyes or staples in the under outer sides of the plowframe I, to which are attached two sets of plows, J J and K K. The supports of the former are rigidly fastened to the sides of pieces L L, pivoted to the front and rear cross-pieces of frame I, and are also provided with standards M M, which are united at their tops by a cross-bar, N, which passes loosely through mortises in standards M M, and is provided with a series of holes at each end. It will be seen that the upper ends of standards M M can be held nearer to or far- ,ther apart by simply withdrawing pins 0 c,

is hinged by a dead-eye to the front of frame I, while the rear end extends back, so as to be within the reach of the driver on. his seat G, whereby the driver can cause the two middle plows to vibrate back, as indicated in red lines, at pleasure by simply giving lever O a lateral movement. This is owing to the fact that pieces L L are connected to frame I by pivots at each end, as heretofore explained. To the rear of frame I is fastened a springcatch, 1?, which takes into teeth in catch-piece Q, fastened to the front of seat-post F. Adjusting-blocks d d of wedge form are used between the rear sides of frame I and pieces 0 I rear end of the seat-frame is depressed, while the front end, together with the plow-frame I and plowsJ J and K K, are elevated. To effect this operation, however, spring-catch P has to be sprung forward, so as to be out of contact with the teeth in catch-plate Q until after the adjustment is made, when it is let back, not into the same place, however, but into someone of the teeth above. So long as the spring-catch is in contact with the teeth in the catch-plate, solong will the plows remain in the adjusted position. When, however, the driver wishes to elevate the plows above the ground for the purpose of passing from one field to another, or for any other purpose, he has only to push catch P forward, so as to release it from contact with the teeth on catchplate Q, when the weight of the driver will cause the seat-frame to descend and the plowframe to rise, as, indicated in Fig. 4. The ground is represented as sectioned in Fig. 2 in front of the wheels, to show the position of the plows more fully.

By my machine the driver can control the inner plows by one hand through lever 0, so that the machine can be used with facility to. cultivate corn or other plants, although planted in crooked or irregular rows.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. The combination of spring-catoh P and catch-plate Q with the plow-frame I and seatframe, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the seat-frame and plow-frame, of catch-plate Q, springcatch 1?, and adjusting-blocks d (2, constructed and arranged to operate in relation to each other as and for the purposes set forth.

3. Pivoting or hinging the plow-frame I to the front of the seat-frame and in front of the axle of the main supporting-wheels, in conibination with providing said frame I with two sets of plows, J J K K, arranged to operate in relation to each other as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

W. s. WEIR, JR.

In presence 0f- .INo. E. ALEXANDER, BAN. VAN ZANDT. 

